Rumors are flying that Nokia is about to embark on a massive mobile phone recall. Nokia concedes its devices have glitches that need repair, but believes it can avoid a recall.
The company is currently fixing a software glitch that won't let users of its 2100, 5100 and 6100 phone model series –- about 25 percent of all phones that run on the popular code-division multiple access (CDMA) network in the Americas -- connect to next generation (3G) high-speed wireless networks.
In other words, these phone users won't be able to receive wireless services at the promised speeds of 3G networks –- about 144 kbps -- and would instead default to the old speeds of 2G and 2.5G networks (or about 14.4 kbps).
However, there won't be any phone recall or need to buy a new handset. Nokia spokeswoman Megan Matthews said the company is considering fixing the glitch with a "software patch" for the network.
"Nokia holds the firm belief this situation doesn't require a recall," Matthews said. "It's in the best interest of the CDMA industry, carriers and consumers overall that the solution of this 1X (next generation CDMA networks) forward compatibility issue is solved by a software patch to the network infrastructure."
Still, news of Nokia's glitch scarily resembled another recent announcement made by competitor Ericsson that it would be withdrawing its new R520 general packet radio service (GPRS) phone from the market. Ericsson said the phones are marred by a "flawed factory installation."
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New service -- call-cheating: A Romanian man is helping husbands catch their cheating wives with mobile phones.
Vasile Prisca, who has caught his wife cheating on him with a neighbor, says he has a device that sends a text message every time anyone heavier than his wife climbs into his bed, according to a story that recently appeared on Ananova.
Prisca went home and witnessed his wife's infidelity once his device alerted him someone else hit the sack with her. It didn't stop there: He later used the text message as evidence in divorce court.
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Spectrum delay update: President Bush's proposed budget includes stipulations that could delay the auction of the spectrum currently used by television broadcasters in channels 60-69 -- that will eventually be used by carriers for next generation 3G networks.
Bush's budget calls for auctioning certain parts of the spectrum as much as four years later than is currently planned. However, the proposal also contains a provision (actually compensation) to encourage the broadcasters to leave the spectrum as early as possible. This could make carriers feel more secure that they'll have the airwaves for their networks.
Telecom tidbits: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) plans to re-introduce a bill that will lift the spectrum cap -- or amount of airwaves a carrier uses -- for cellular networks. Several cellular networks are currently using the maximum amount of radio spectrum permitted under FCC rules, which means carriers may not be able to participate in future spectrum auctions.
Speaking to the lack of spectrum, FCC chairman Michael Powell recently told reporters the demand for wireless spectrum "is going to forever outstrip supply" -- meaning no other federal department is willing to relinquish airwaves to the cause of 3G services. Powell added that he believes the wireless industry should develop technology that uses current spectrum more efficiently.
Handspring named former FCC chairman William Kennard to its board. Meanwhile, the FCC is forming its own (largely Republican) board: President Bush nominated two Republicans and one Democrat to the FCC. The Republican nominees are Kevin Martin and Kathleen Abernathy and the Democratic nominee is Michael Copps. If confirmed by the Senate, the new nominees would give Republicans a 3-2 majority.
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Dialing Around: Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, which is slated for release later this year, won't be supporting Bluetooth because of the lack of chips and devices supporting the technology.... ART, the agency that oversees the telecommunications industry in France, said that 31 million people now have wireless phones –- that's 52 percent of the country's population.... Pizza lovers in Las Vegas can order their favorite delicacy via Verizon Wireless' mobile Web service.... NTT DoCoMo head honcho Keiji Tachikawa said future mobile phones will most likely be used as "electronic wallets" to pay for goods.... Handspring is now selling a Japanese version of its sleek Visor Edge.
